A Waterloo Region Record blog on the Kitchener Rangers

June 23, 2012

Rangers flying off board

Matia Marcantuoni thought he'd go earlier but was welcomed to the NHL with a huge ovation by the hometown crowd in Pittsburgh.

The Rangers winger went 92nd overall in the fourth round and was on hand to meet Penguins staff -- including Mario Lemieux -- and try on his new jersey.

"It’s surreal, just to hear the fans, I just got the butterfly feeling in my stomach. I’m just really happy right now."

Marcantuoni said he has added 13 pounds of muscle since having season ending shoulder surgery.

Four picks later, his buddy Ben Thomson went at No. 96 to the New Jersey Devils. Credit the Devils scouting. Thomson is a great player who got little pre-draft respect. But he's the kind of guy who can make a difference.

Thomson was surprised to be selected in the fourth round. He said he talked to 5-6 teams prior to the draft.

I saw Rangers defenceman Evan McEneny walking out of the arena with a Dallas Stars jersey on. Looks like he got an invite to the team's rookie camp. Still trying to confirm with his agent.

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Matia Marcantuoni thought he'd go earlier but was welcomed to the NHL with a huge ovation by the hometown crowd in Pittsburgh.

The Rangers winger went 92nd overall in the fourth round and was on hand to meet Penguins staff -- including Mario Lemieux -- and try on his new jersey.

"It’s surreal, just to hear the fans, I just got the butterfly feeling in my stomach. I’m just really happy right now."

Marcantuoni said he has added 13 pounds of muscle since having season ending shoulder surgery.

Four picks later, his buddy Ben Thomson went at No. 96 to the New Jersey Devils. Credit the Devils scouting. Thomson is a great player who got little pre-draft respect. But he's the kind of guy who can make a difference.

Thomson was surprised to be selected in the fourth round. He said he talked to 5-6 teams prior to the draft.

I saw Rangers defenceman Evan McEneny walking out of the arena with a Dallas Stars jersey on. Looks like he got an invite to the team's rookie camp. Still trying to confirm with his agent.